A structural support system and a method for providing a node section for use in a structural support system

ABSTRACT

A structural support system, such as, a scaffolding or a falsework comprising verticals (10) and horizontals (40) connected at node sections (120) at the verticals (10), each node section (120) comprising a locking device for joining horizontals (40) and/or diagonals with bladed ends arranged at ends of the horizontals (40) and the vertical (10), where the locking device is a cup pair comprising a bottom cup (20) held at a position on the verticals (10) and atop cup (30) moveably arranged on the verticals (10), where bladed ends of the horizontals (40) or diagonals are configured to be locked by bottom cup (20) part and top cup (30) part, providing a rigid connection. That is characterized in that parts of the structural support system intended to be held at a position on the verticals (10) are held by using one or more fastening means (50) and corresponding hole(s) (11, 25) in the parts and the verticals (10), the fastening means (50) being rigidly fixed by screwing a headed bolt into the vertical (10), providing a compressive vertical load in vertical and/or horizontal direction capacity of the lower cup via the bolt.

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a structural support system, such as,but not limited to; scaffolding, falsework, beams, bridges, staging, skijumps and slopes, comprising vertical and horizontal poles, calledherein verticals and horizontals respectively, connected at standardnode points arranged spaced apart on the vertical. Each node pointcomprises a locking device comprising a bottom cup, rigidly fixed to thevertical; a top cup rotatably and axially moveably on the vertical; andintegral lugs fixed to the vertical for locking horizontals blade end tothe node point.

BACKGROUND FOR THE INVENTION

Structural support systems such as scaffolding and falsework are used inseveral applications, to support and provide safe access related toconstructions and maintenance of these. It is a temporary structure,which is assembled at construction site and dismantled upon completion.It is a modular system of metal components, where the components arereusable—assembled and dismantled from site to site. In conventionalscaffolding, the components within the system usually comprise poles forvertical and horizontal purposes, where the vertical and horizontalpoles are connected together with couplings usually pre-assembled at thevertical poles, and where the components are of metal, usuallygalvanized steel.

Ringlock™, Allround™, Kwikstage™ and CUPLOK™ are well known scaffoldingsystems.

The CUPLOK™ system is described in GB 1 463 867 and is consisting of abottom cup permanently and rigidly connected to a vertical pole at givenintervals along the pole, with a loose and movable top cup above eachbottom cup to engage a horizontal pole's end configuration forconnecting the horizontal pole to the vertical pole by means of thebottom and top cups. Welding is used in order to lock components such asbottom cup, wedges and mechanical stoppers of the system permanently tothe vertical pole and to make a permanent connection between thehorizontal pole and the blade end configuration of the horizontal pole.

CN 105421757 discloses a bowl fastener connector for a bowl-holdingscaffold. The bowl fastener connector comprises a vertical rod, an upperbowl fastener, a cross rod-limiting module, a lower bowl fastener and across rod connector, wherein the upper bowl fastener, a limiting pin,the cross rod-limiting module and the lower bowl fastener are installedon the outer wall of the vertical rod from top to bottom in sequence.According to the bowl fastener connector, a cross rod is fixed throughthe upper bowl fastener and the lower bowl fastener, installation anddetachment are both possible, the cross rod is clamped and fixed to theupper bowl fastener and the lower bowl fastener through the upper endand lower end of the cross rod connector respectively, and scaffoldinstallation stability can be effectively guaranteed through a saw toothgroove formed in the bottom of the cross rod connector and a crossrod-limiting stand column arranged on the inner wall of the cross rodconnector. The upper end and the lower end of the bowl fastenerconnector are clamped and stressed, so that the stability of thescaffold is not to be affected i.e. if the bowl fastener connectorrusts.

CN 200978854 relates to a detachable tightening connecting devicecomprising a connector equipped on a pillar of a scaffold or a ceilingrack, wherein the outer side wall is equipped with an equippingstructure, and a wedge lining jacket is equipped between the connectorand the pillar, and a locating locking device used to prevent thegenerating of comparative movement between the wedge lining and thepillar is equipped between the wedge lining jacket and the pillar. Theutility model adopts a structure of adding the locating locking devicebetween the pillar and the wedge lining, the connection between thewedge lining and the pillar can realize that the wedge lining and thepillar become a detachable structure through the detachable locatinglocking device structure, avoiding deficits brought by the glue stickingor welding to connect the wedge lining and the pillar, and also makingthe detaching and equipping of the connecting device and the maintenancepossible.

FR 2298720 discloses a junction piece consisting of a metal cup drilledwith a number of holes which are normal to the surface of the cup. Thetubular struts are each fitted with a tapped plug insert. The outside ofthe cup may be reinforced by a ring which fits between the cup and thetubes. The tubes and cup are joined by means of screws or bolts.Horizontal tubes are fixed in any direction by the screw holes and acentral vertical tube by the fixing hole. Angular tubes may also befitted.

CN 102817890 discloses a fastener, which belongs to the technical fieldof machinery. The fastener comprises two butt-jointed half ring-shapedbodies, and is characterized in that a stud pin and a stud pin holematched with the stud pin are respectively formed on the two endsurfaces of the half ring-shaped bodies; the two half ring-shaped bodiesare clamped and in butt joint with each other by the stud pin and thestud pin hole; and reinforcing ribs are arranged on the inner side wallsof the half ring-shaped bodies. The fastener may be assembled anddisassembled, and can be applied to connection of scaffolds or studbodies.

CN 2003034788 discloses a flexible scaffold capable of being assembledand detached. The scaffold is formed by a vertical rod, a cross rod, aplug pin and a locking plate and is characterized in that the verticalrod is provided with the locking plate which is provided with a lockhole; the plug pin is arranged in the lock hole; the cross rod isconnected with the plug pin; a lock sleeve and a lock ring are connectedinto a whole to form into the locking plate; the lateral side of thelocking plate is provided with a screw hole; one side of the upper endof the plug pin is provided with a connecting hole; the other side ofthe upper end of the plug pin is provided with a pushing block; thelower end of the plug pin is provided with a pin; the end portion of thepushing block is provided with an arc opening which is matched with thevertical rod; and an angle from 70 to 80 degrees is formed between anouter lateral edge of the pin and the horizontal direction of the lockhole.

CN 102704670 discloses a lower bowl-type coupler for a bowl-type couplerscaffolding, which includes a bowl-type coupler body, wherein a sleeveis arranged on the bowl-type coupler body; a recess is arranged on avertical upright; both the bowl-type coupler body and the sleeve arearranged on the vertical upright; a protrusion is arranged on the innerwall of the sleeve, and extends to the inside of the recess to betightly matched with the recess. The invention further includes amounting method for the lower bowl-type coupler for the bowl-typecoupler scaffolding, which includes the following steps: firstly, thebowl-type coupler body and the sleeve are arranged on the verticalupright; and secondly, the sleeve is clamped through a clamping device,and a radial clamping force is exerted to the protrusion through theclamping device, so that the protrusion extends into the verticalupright, and the recess is formed on the vertical upright, theprotrusion extends to the inside of the recess to be tightly matchedwith the recess, as a result, the lower bowl-type coupler is installedon the vertical upright. The lower bowl-type coupler for the bowl-typecoupler scaffolding can be connected with the vertical upright.

The current state of the art is reflected in use of tubes and fittingsmade in steel. This makes the components of the structural supportsystem in many cases unnecessary heavy. There is also a health,environment and safety (HES) aspect due to weight of components andallowed lifting weight. Therefore, there is a need for reducing weightof components and increased system flexibility in order to obtain of astructural support system, which meets the HES requirements withoutreducing the capacity or integrity of the structural support system.

There is a need for a system wherein the vertical and the cups can bemade of aluminium or where the cups may also be made of a tougher andmore solid material, such as steel. It is also a need for a system thatis simple to assemble and erect, and where the nodes are solid andstrong, meeting the structural and HES criteria.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In the following throughout the specification, when referring tostructural support system, this includes, but is not limited to,scaffolding, falsework, beams, bridges, staging, ski jumps and slopesand such, unless clearly specified otherwise. Moreover, in thefollowing, the following terms mean:

The noun term “horizontal” refers to elongated tube elements intended tobe arranged in horizontal direction. In the industry of structuralsupport systems, “elongated tubes”, “horizontal ledger”, “transom”,“ledger”, “runner” etc. are also well-known expressions.

The noun term “diagonal” refers to elongated tube elements intended tobe arranged diagonally in a structural support system.

The noun term “vertical” refers to the elongated tube element intendedto be arranged in vertical direction. Expressions like “standardupright”, “standards, “posts”, “poles” etc. are also known in theindustry.

The present invention is in principle functioning as a CUPLOK™ system,but with improved solutions for attaching its couplers or cups to a polewith vertical standing purposes. The key point of the present inventionis the ability to held and/or permanently fix the bottom cup to thevertical without using welding or components which compromises thepole's inside hollow section, hence being compatible and may be usedinterchangeably with the existing prior art CUPLOK™ system. The presentinvention opens for the possibility of using materials for the verticaland the node section, which are either undesirable to weld, ornon-weldable altogether, but possesses other desirable features such asfor instance being lightweight and/or environmentally friendly. Alightweight structural support system will ease both transport andhandling, will provide working capacity and reduce the environmentalimpact of transportation, in addition to open up new areas where thestructural support system may be utilized.

The main object of the present invention is to provide new methods forjoining components of a structural support system together and beingable to choose materials for reduced weight of the structural supportsystems.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a backwardcompatibility to existing CUPLOK™ systems.

Another object of the invention is to provide a bottom cup which may berigidly fixed to the vertical in a removable and/or replaceable mannerwithout influencing the integrity of the new joint or the vertical.

Another object of the invention is to provide a new system where thevertical, the elements forming the joint and possibly also thehorizontals may be made of aluminium without being dependent on weldingoperations.

Yet another object of the invention is to provide a cup assemblyallowing removal of a bottom cup for substitution with a new or amodified bottom cup or a cup with a different shape, adapted to adifferently shaped ends of the horizontals.

A still further object of the invention is to allow change of positionof the node along the length of the vertical and/or the locking surfaceof the node, adapted to a differently shaped end of a horizontal.

Another object of the invention is to retain the full tensile strengthof the vertical and/or full working capacity, i.e. for example thealuminium tubular sections, and/or the node.

Yet a further object of the invention is to enable provision of a nodeand a fixture to a vertical, for example being made up of two differentmaterial, that cannot easily be welded together and without beingdependent on welding operations.

Yet another object of the invention is to provide a solution where alower and upper cup also may be used in connection with a traditionalvertical made of steel.

Another object of the invention is to provide a system wherein thebottom cup may be made of aluminium and may being fixed to a vertical ofsteel or aluminium in a non-welded manner without reducing the bearingcapacity.

Another object of the invention is to provide a solution where thefixing of the lower cup is not dependent on a rigid fixing to avertical.

An object of the invention is to provide a new cup that is compatible toexisting system.

The objects are achieved by a structural support system and method asfurther defined by the independent claims, while embodiments, optionsand variants are defined by the dependent claims.

In a first aspect, the present invention relates to a structural supportsystem, such as, but not limited to, a scaffolding or a falsework systemcomprising verticals and horizontals connected at node sections at theverticals, where each node section comprises a locking device forjoining horizontals and/or diagonals with bladed ends arranged at endsof the horizontals and the vertical, where the locking device is a cuppair comprising a bottom cup held at a position on the verticals and atop cup moveably arranged on the verticals, where bladed ends of thehorizontals and/or diagonals are configured to be locked by bottom cuppart and top cup part, providing a rigid connection. Parts of thestructural support system intended to be held at a position on theverticals are held by using at least one fastener means andcorresponding hole(s) in the parts and the verticals, the fastener meansbeing rigidly fixed by screwing a headed bolt into the vertical,providing a compressive vertical load in vertical and/or horizontaldirection capacity of the lower cup via the bolt.

According to an embodiment, the bottom cup may comprise a lower partpreferably of cylindrical form, an intermediate part, preferablyinclined upwardly and outwardly, an upper part preferably of cylindricalform.

The bottom cup may further comprise at least one hole for fasteningmeans preferably at the circumference of the lower part or the bottomcup, the diameter of the hole being larger than the diameter of a partof the fastening means, e.g. a bolt, intended to be in contact with thebottom cup. Moreover, the hole(s) in the bottom cup may optimally may bewithout threads.

According to an option, the bottom cup further comprises at least onedrainage recess in the lower part of the bottom cup.

Moreover, the system may further comprise a bottom cup guard in order toprotect the bottom cup and the fastening means, e.g. the bolts, frommechanical impact and environmental elements causing materialdegradation.

According to another embodiment, the bottom cup guard comprises a lowerpart, preferably of cylindrical form, and an upper part, preferablyinclined upwardly and outwardly.

In an embodiment, the bottom cup guard further comprises at least onedrainage recess at least in the lower part of the bottom cup guard, andwith same height as the drainage recess of the bottom cup.

In an embodiment, the bottom cup guard further comprises a flange at thefree end of the lower part of the bottom cup guard, pointing inwards thebottom cup guard having a diameter with a tolerance in order toapproximately face the vertical.

The parts of the structural support system may also be intended to bepermanently fixed to the verticals by using fastening means, being oneor more dowel pins, and corresponding hole(s) in the parts and theverticals, the dowel pin(s) being rigidly fixed using a bonding agent orby press fit.

Dowel pins are fixed on face to face permanently connections where dowelpins are put into pre-machined holes in the verticals and in theopposite face of connecting part in combination with a bonding agent,such as glue.

The face-to-face dowel pin surfaces may be provided with bonding agents,such as glue, in order to fully make a strong and firm connection.

The bottom cup may have machined recesses at the bottom end matchingdowel pins projecting out from the vertical and bonded by a bondingagent or by press fit in holes pre-machined around the vertical'speriphery at the same level as described above, where the bottom cup isto be lowered and simultaneously adjusted to mate the recesses with thedowel pins and being permanently connected to the dowel pins with abonding agent and/or spot welds between dowel pins and bottom cup.

Alternatively, the bottom cups may be fixed using at least two wedgesfor the bottom cup and by pushing the bottom cup onto the wedges in apermanently connection is made and where the wedges are connected to thevertical using a bonding agent and/or welds.

The bottom cup may comprise two identical but mirrored halves withpre-machined holes for dowel pins in surfaces facing the two halves andin surfaces facing the verticals, where the bottom cup halves and theverticals are connected as described above.

The horizontal may comprise an elongated tube and a blade end with fins,which fits with an engaging tube, where the engaging tube and blade endare permanently connected to the elongated tube by applying glue to theconnecting surfaces, where the connecting surfaces are the inner surfaceof the elongated tube and the outer surface of the engaging tube.

The elongated tube, preferably semi-cylindrically shaped may be threadonto the engaging tube, preferably semi-cylindrically shaped but mightalso be conical shaped, chamfered shaped or it might even be threadedfor a threading connection between engaging tube and elongated tube.

The installed bottom cup may be covered with a bottom cup guard in orderto protect the bottom cup, dowel pins and bonding agent from mechanicalimpacts and environmental elements causing material degradation.

Material used in the bottom cup guard may be of a polymer, such asplastic or rubber.

The horizontals may be supported with an extra support bracket in orderto transfer forces between horizontals and the verticals, where thesupport bracket comprises two identical but mirrored shaped steel oraluminium plates. These plates are placed together in order to be ableto grip around the horizontals and the verticals where the two platesare loosely connected with bolts, washers and nuts to be screwedtogether and tighten around the horizontals and verticals.

In a second aspect, the present invention relates to a method formounting a node section on a vertical for use in a structural supportsystem, where each node section is a locking device for connectinghorizontals and/or diagonals with bladed ends arranged at ends of thehorizontals with verticals, where the locking device is a cup comprisinga bottom cup of metal material, preferably aluminium or steel held at apredetermined position on the verticals and a top cup of metal material,preferably aluminium or steel moveably connected to the verticals.Forming the vertical from extruded aluminium tubes, forming one or moreradially orientated holes in the outer surface of the vertical surface,the surface of each hole preferably being threaded, positioning theholes in the bottom cup with the holes in the vertical and introducing afastener means of steel into each of the holes via the holes in thebottom cup. A bottom cup guard threaded onto the vertical may be raisedtowards the bottom cup until the free end of the lower part of thebottom cup guard aligns a free end of the lower part of the bottom cup,or until a surface of the flange of the bottom cup guard pointing indirection of the bottom cup is mating against the free end of the lowerpart of the bottom cup.

The method further providing the bottom cup guard being adjusted inposition, where drainage recesses in the bottom cup guard is beingaligned with drainage recesses in the bottom cup.

Alternatively, the surface of each hole is being treated with a bondingagent and introducing a dowel pin of steel into each of the holes,lowering the bottom cup down onto the dowel pin(s) and welding the dowelpin(s) and the lower surface of the bottom cup together in a permanentfixture to the vertical using a bonding agent.

The method may further provide the lower surface of the bottom cup withdownwardly open holes or recesses, positioned to be complimentary to theposition of the dowel pin(s) and moving the bottom cup verticallydownwards and possibly rotating the bottom cup so as to allow the dowelpin(s) to enter into corresponding hole(s) or recess(es) at the bottomsurface of the bottom cup.

Structural support system, such as scaffolding or falsework, comprisesverticals and horizontals connected together with coupling agents at theverticals placed with intervals along the verticals. The coupling agentscomprises lower and upper coupling parts, where the lower coupling partis being permanently connected and rigidly fixed to the vertical, andthe upper coupling part is in a loose and movable connection with thevertical. The horizontals comprise elongated tubes with flanged ends ateach end of the elongated tube fitting into the coupling parts. Theflanged end is lifted into the lower coupling parts, the upper couplingparts are being rotated and in order to lock the upper coupling, ahelical surface at the upper coupling part is wedged against a lugpermanently connected to the vertical. Stoppers are preferably installedon the vertical in order to prevent the last upper coupling part to falloff the vertical.

A structural support system is traditionally predominated by weldedsteel structures. Using light material, such as aluminium is of greatinterest in order to gain easier handling of elements without, or withreduced need for lifting equipment. As a result of being a non-weldedstructure, one can retain a full tensile strength of the aluminiumtubular sections. The system of the present invention is a fullynon-welded element, resulting in that the aluminium elements retainsfull working capacities.

In one embodiment, the bottom cup is fixed to an aluminium vertical byusing bolts. The bolts do not fix the cup against the vertical tube inthe traditional sense, but act as a support for the lower cup to reston. The bolt is fixed horizontally to the vertical via the holes withinthe lower part of the bottom cup, providing compressive vertical loadcapacity of the lower cup via the bolt head as opposed to a tighteningof the bolt between the lower cup and the vertical tube. Holes in thevertical is predrilled and preferably threaded. Since the bolt do notpress or fix the bottom cup to the vertical, the bolt goes straightthrough the cup and the cup simply rests on the bolt head. Bolts areused as a vertical restraint as opposed to a clamping function. Thebolts may come in varying sizes. Since the bottom cup rests on a head ofthe bolt, this is allowing a higher force to be applied through the headof the bolt and back into the vertical due to larger surface areabetween the bolt head and the surface of the vertical.

The bottom cup is designed to be compatible with current steel systemson the market. The system of the present invention will provide all thesame connectivity features as current system with the only differencebeing the vertical capacity being reduced due to the working tensilecapacity of the aluminium vs. steel. The system is bi-directionallycompatible with other similar systems.

The bottom cup is preferably formed out of a forged aluminium billet. Byforging the bottom cup, the material changes occurring through theforging process causing the tensile capacities of the cup to increase,providing an aluminium product with comparable tensile properties assteel.

Gluing is a well-known method for joining metal parts together and opensup the potential to use new materials or combination of differentmaterials where use of traditionally joining methods is inconvenient.Using high strength material such as steel on load bearing or impactexposed parts and being able to choose lighter materials, such asaluminium or fibre reinforced plastics, on joining parts, may be ofgreat interest in relation to, for example, easier handling of theelements without, or with reduced need for lifting equipment. Gluing incombination with dowel pins, or local welding of high strength material,such as steel, gives a structural reinforcement of the connection forload bearing components transferring and distributing loads toconnecting components.

In another embodiment, the bottom cup is rigidly fixed to the verticalby means of dowel pins of steel inserted and glued in pre-machined holesfilled with glue in the vertical, preferably made of aluminium. A bottomcup of the coupling agent, threaded onto the vertical is provided withpre-machined recesses arranged on its lower circumferential edge,matching the size and position of the configuration of the dowel pins,the bottom cup is then lowered down onto the matching dowel pins in thevertical. Spot welding between the dowel pins and the recesses of thebottom cup, where both dowel pins and bottom cup are of the sameweldable material, preferably steel, provide a firm, rigid and permanentconnection of the bottom cup to the vertical. Gluing the matchingsurfaces of the dowel pins and recesses in the bottom cup may be analternative or addition to the welding.

Another way of joining the bottom cup together with the pole is with theuse of wedges. The bottom cup wedges being of a high strength materialsuch as steel, are distributed around the circumference of the pole,where the bottom cup is being fastened to the pole by wedges. The wedgesare fixed to the pole using dowel pins with glue in holes of both thepole, as indicated above, and the wedges. Additionally extra glue may beadded in the interfacing mating surfaces of the pole and the wedge.Alternatively, or in addition, a welding seam between the lower endsurface of the bottom cup and the wedge may be used. Other components,such as a wedge lug for the top cup and mechanical stoppers, preferablybeing of a high strength material such as steel, which might be dowelpins, are also connected through dowel pins and gluing, or alternativelyor additionally by welding.

In yet another embodiment of the bottom cup, the cup preferably being ofa high strength material such as steel, the cup comprises two cup halveswith holes for dowel pins. The halves are joined together, embracing apole with dowel pins between the joining surfaces of the two halves andbetween the inner surfaces of the cups and the pole, and further fixedtogether either by welding or gluing of the joining surfaces. The innersurface of the bowl-shaped halves has curved faces complementary to theside of the vertical with holes for dowel pins and with correspondingholes for dowel pins on the vertical. When the halves are broughttogether around the vertical, dowel pins are also placed between thehalves and the vertical before welding or gluing both the two halvestogether, but also the welded or glued cup formed by the two halvestogether with the vertical.

A structural support system of the present invention is a flexiblesystem able to take all kind of shapes, from right angled to complexcurves. In heavy constructions with scaffolding elements, extra supportof the structure is required. The structural support system is able toalso take poles arranged diagonally as a framework construction,alternatively or supplementary support brackets can be used in thecorners or junction points between verticals and horizontals. Suchsupport brackets easily grip and lock around the poles by loosening andfastening of bolts and nuts.

The present invention is backward compatible with the CUPLOK™ system,since the bottom cups of the present invention are designed to fitexisting equipment utilizing the CUPLOK™ system. This is beneficial forthe customer being able to easily adapt their existing equipment andsave potentially high investment cost.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described in furtherdetail by way of example only, with reference to the following diagramswherein:

FIG. 1 shows schematically a perspective of a locking system of priorart;

FIG. 2 shows schematically and in perspective a section of a typicalscaffold built up with embodiments according to the present invention;

FIG. 3 shows schematically and in perspective a section of a heavy-dutysupport structure, e.g. falsework, used for supporting heavy duty steelgirders or beams for formwork, used for supporting formwork forconstruction of bridges, or the like;

FIG. 4 shows schematically and in perspective a view of a bottom cup ofone embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5 shows schematically and in perspective a view of a bottom cupguard used to protect the bottom cup and fastening means from mechanicalimpacts and environmental elements causing material degradation;

FIG. 6a shows a vertical with preinstalled pairs of bottom cups and atop cups arranged at different levels and spaced along the vertical.FIG. 6b shows a detail A from FIG. 6a of the lower part of the vertical,showing one pair of a bottom cup and a top cup;

FIG. 7a shows schematically an exploded view, while FIG. 7b shows anassembled view of an embodiment of an assembly of the bottom cup, thetop cup, as well as the bottom cup guard of the present invention;

FIG. 8a shows schematically and in perspective an exploded view of anembodiment of the bottom cup of a node using the dowel fastening methodaccording to the present invention, while FIG. 8b shows schematicallyand in perspective an assembled view of the embodiment shown in FIG. 8a;

FIG. 9a shows schematically and in perspective an exploded view ofanother embodiment of the bottom cup using the dowel fastening method,while FIG. 9b shows schematically and in perspective an assembled viewof the embodiment shown in FIG. 9 b;

FIG. 10a shows schematically and in perspective an exploded view of yetanother embodiment of the bottom cup using the dowel pins and wedgesaccording to the invention, while FIG. 10b shows schematically and inperspective an assembled view of the embodiment shown in FIG. 10 a;

FIG. 11a shows schematically and in perspective an exploded view of yetanother embodiment of the bottom cup of the present invention, where thebottom cup comprises two identical but mirrored halves joined together,while FIG. 11b shows schematically and in perspective an assembled viewof the embodiment shown in FIG. 11 a;

FIG. 12a shows schematically and in perspective an exploded view of anembodiment for fixing a lug used for locking the top cup of the couplingsystem against upwards movement to the vertical; while FIG. 12b showsschematically and in perspective the embodiment shown in FIG. 12a , theunit being in an assembled state;

FIG. 13a shows schematically and in perspective an end of a horizontaland its end configuration in an exploded view, while FIG. 13b shows thehorizontal end in an assembled state;

FIG. 14 shows in perspective an assembled node on a vertical, with onehorizontal supported the support bracket, extending between the verticalbelow a node and a horizontal, the support bracket forming an angle withthe horizontal and the vertical;

FIG. 15a shows schematically and in perspective an embodiment of thesupport bracket in an exploded state, while FIG. 15b shows theembodiment shown in FIG. 15a in an assembled state; and

FIG. 16a shows schematically and in perspective an exploded view of anembodiment of the bottom cup according to the invention including abottom cup guard, while FIG. 16b shows schematically and in perspectivean assembled view of the embodiment shown in FIG. 16 a.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENT DISCLOSED IN THE DRAWINGS

The following description of the exemplary embodiments refers to theaccompanying drawings. The drawings illustrate exemplary embodiments ofthe invention configured to be integrated in a structural support systemsuch as a scaffolding or a falsework system. The exemplary embodimentsdisclosed in the drawings should not be understood as a limitation tothe scope of protection of the invention.

The same reference numbers in different drawings identify the same orsimilar elements. The following detailed description does not limit theinvention. Instead, the scope of the invention is defined by theappended claims.

Reference throughout the specification to “one embodiment” or “anembodiment” means that a particular feature, structure or characteristicdescribed in connection with an embodiment is included in at least oneembodiment of the subject matter disclosed. Thus, the appearance of thephrases “in one embodiment” or “in an embodiment” in various placesthroughout the specification is not necessarily referring to the sameembodiment. Further, the particular features, structures, orcharacteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or moreembodiments.

In general, the verticals are made of aluminium, and the elementsforming the node or the wedges or the lugs of the embodiments describedbelow, i.e. top and bottom cup and the dowels may be made either offorged aluminium or steel, unless otherwise specifically defined. Inthis manner, if bottom cup is made of steel, steel dowel pins and bottomcup may be welded together, or the dowel pins used may be glued, orpress fitted with corresponding elements. In addition, or as analternative, interconnected surfaces may also be glued.

FIG. 1 shows schematically a perspective of a prior art node section 120used for locking horizontals or the like in a prior art scaffoldingsystem. The system is made of steel. Only a single node section 120 isshown. It should be noted, however that each vertical 10, which isdelivered in standard lengths, are provided with node sections 120 shownin FIG. 1, preferably equally spaced apart in tube longitudinaldirection. The system consists of a vertical 10 provided with a bottomcup 20, welded to the vertical 10. The bottom cup 20 defines an annularchannel 21 (not shown in FIG. 1) around it, such annular channel 21being open at its upper end. The lower part 22 of the wall of the bottomcup 20 is inclined upwardly and outwardly from the vertical 10 andterminates in a short upper part 24 of cylindrical form.

The node section 120 also consist at its upper end of a top cup 30 whichis slidably and rotatably mounted on the vertical 10 and also defines anannular channel (not shown in FIG. 1) around it, the annular channelbeing open at its lower end, the wall of the top cup 30 having acylindrical upper part which fits loosely around the vertical 10 and adownwardly inclined lower part. At one side, the top cup 30 has a bulge31, in which there is formed adjacent to the vertical 10, a verticalslot 32. The top face of the top cup 30 may be inclined upwardly fromeither side of the bulge 31 or continuously for a full 360° from oneside, thus forming a wedge-shaped surface.

The vertical 10 has on one side thereof a lug 12, which is of such sizethat it can pass through the vertical slot 32 in the bulge 31 of the topcup 30. Thus, if the top cup 30 is turned to bring the lug 12 into linewith the vertical slot 32, the top cup 30 can be moved up and down thevertical 10 past the lug 12.

A horizontal 40 is at each end provided with a blade end 41 providedwith two diametrically opposed fins 42 (not shown). The fins 42 on eachend of the horizontal 40 are pointing in the same direction. The endsurface of the blade end 41 is curved, i.e. given a shape that iscomplimentary to the corresponding shape of the vertical 10.

For assembling a vertical 10 and a horizontal 40, the top cup 30 is in aposition above the lug 12 on the vertical 10. A flanged coupling end(the horizontal's 40 blade end 41) is brought into position with one fin42 positioned inside the open ended annular channel 21 in the bottom cup20, also bringing the horizontal 40 into a position where it isperpendicular to the vertical 10. The top cup 30 is then lowered bybringing the vertical slot 32 in the top cup 30 in aligned position withthe lug 12, whereupon the top cup 30 is lowered down past the lug 12 andaround the upper fin 42. In this position, the inclined upper surface ofthe top cup 30 is positioned below the lower end of the lug 12. In orderto lock the position of the horizontal 40, the top cup 30 is rotated ina clockwise direction. Due to the inclining surface of the top cup 30,when the top cup 30 is rotated in this position, the top cup 30 will actas a wedge against the lug 12, forcing the top cup 30 in the downwardsdirection, thus providing a secure locking engagement between the topcup 30, the blade end 41 and the vertical 10. In order to achieverotational movement of the top cup 30, the top cup 30 is fitted with topcup lugs 33, spaced apart around the top cup 30, said top cup lugs 33being intended to be hit by a hammer or a sledge in order to force thetop cup 30 into a locking engagement. It should be noted that the bladeends 41, which are made of steel, are welded to the end of thehorizontal 40.

FIG. 2 shows schematically and in perspective a view of a typicalscaffold built up with embodiments according to the present invention.The scaffold may comprise of a number of verticals 10 arranged in spacedrelation and interconnected by a number of horizontals 40. As indicatedin the FIG. 2, the verticals 10 and the horizontals 40 are lockedtogether by means of node sections 120. The node sections 120 disclosedare of a type that shall be described in more detail below. It should benoted that the scaffold may also be provided with accessories, such asbracings with brace ledge ends, brackets, base jacks, all adapted toform an integrated part of the node system described below. As indicatedin FIG. 2, the horizontals 40 are assembled in a node section 120, i.e.two horizontals 40 being aligned arranged with an angle of 180° therebetween, while the third horizontal 40 is arranged orthogonally with thetwo aligned horizontals 40. It should be noted that other angles andanother number of horizontals 40 adjoining in a node section 120 on avertical 10 is also possible.

FIG. 3 shows schematically, principally and in perspective a view of aheavy-duty falsework support structure, for example usable forsupporting heavy duty steel girders or beams for formwork, for examplefor supporting formwork for construction of bridges, or the like. Asshown in FIG. 3, the falsework is made up of nine verticals 10 and alarge number of horizontals 40, adjoined to the respective verticals 10.Dependent on type and size of falsework and the structure to besupported, the falsework may be made up of numerous verticals 10 andhorizontals 40. In this respect, a typical joint may be made up of fouradjoining horizontals 40, forming an angle of 90° between each. Again,the built-up of each node section 120, the method for fabricating theverticals and the method for assembling the system shall be described infurther details below.

FIG. 4 shows schematically and in perspective a view of a bottom cup 20of one embodiment of the present invention. The bottom cup is made ofmetal material, preferably of aluminium, but may also be made of steel.A lower part 22 of the wall of the bottom cup 20 preferably forms alower part 22 of a cylindrical form. An intermediate part 23 of thebottom cup 20 is preferably inclined upwardly and outwardly, while anupper part 24 of the bottom cup 20 preferably forms an upper part 24 ofcylindrical form. Cut-outs in lower end of the bottom cup 20 aredrainage recesses 26 for draining purposes, preventing accumulation ofwater, ice, etc. in the bottom cup 20. In order to fix the bottom cup 20to a vertical 10 (not shown), at least one hole 25 for fastening means50 (not shown), preferably at the lower part 22 of the bottom cup 20,are furnished at the bottom cup 20. Corresponding hole(s) 11 isfurnished at the vertical 10. The holes 11 at the vertical arepreferably susceptible to receive threaded fastening means 50.

FIG. 5 shows schematically and in perspective a view of a bottom cupguard 110 used to protect the bottom cup 20 (not shown) and fasteningmeans 50 (not shown) from mechanical impacts and environmental elementscausing material degradation. A lower part 111 of the bottom cup guard110 forms a lower part 111 of preferably a cylindrical form. An upperpart 112 of the bottom cup guard 110 forms an upper part 112 preferablyinclined upwardly and outwardly. A free end of the lower part 111 of thebottom cup guard 110 preferably has a flange 113 orthogonal to thecylindrical form of the lower part 111 directed towards an axial axes ofthe bottom cup guard 110, having a diameter with a tolerance in order toapproximately face the outer surface of the vertical 10 (not shown).Further the bottom cup guard 110 may be furnished with cut-outs in thelower end of the bottom cup guard 110 being drainage recesses 114corresponding the recesses 26 of the bottom cup 20 (not shown). Therecesses 114 of the bottom cup guard 110, also serving as drainingpurposes as those recesses 26 of the bottom cup 20 (not shown),preventing accumulation of water, ice etc. in the bottom cup 20 (notshown). The bottom cup guard 110 can be of for example a polymer, suchas plastic or rubber. The bottom cup guard 110 can also serve as amarketing object, sporting for instance company logo or product name,and/or being in bright colour. The bottom cup guard 110 is made up of asingle unit and may be applied an adhesive and attached to the bottomcup 20, thus providing permanent joining of the bottom cup guard 110 andthe bottom cup 20.

FIG. 6a shows a vertical 10 with preinstalled pairs of bottom cups 20and a top cups 30 arranged at different levels and spaced along thevertical 10, ready to be installed in a falsework, scaffold or the likeand ready to receive bladed ends of horizontals 40 comprising in afalsework, scaffold or the like. The top cup 30 is made of metalmaterial, preferably aluminium. The vertical 10 shows six pairs ofbottom cups 20 and top cups 30, there may be fewer and there may bemore, but each vertical 10 shall preferably comprise at least one pairof one bottom cup 20 and one top cup 30. At each end of the vertical 10there are bolts going straight through the vertical with an accompanyingnuts. These bolts and nuts are for connection to internal spigots usedwhen stacking one vertical 10 on top of another when the structuralsupport system moves vertically/grows upwards. FIG. 6b shows a detail Afrom FIG. 6a of the lower part of the vertical 10, showing one pair of abottom cup 20 and a top cup 30. A bottom cup guard 110 (not shown) mayalso be preinstalled below each pair of bottom cups 20 and top cups 30arranged at the vertical 10. A lug 12 is shown on the vertical 10arranged above a pair of bottom cups 20 and top cups 30. An inclinedhelical surface 34 at the upper part of the top cup 30. In order to lockthe horizontal 40 (not shown), the top cup 30 is rotated in order fortop cup 30 to slide it's helical surface 34 towards the lug 12 forcingthe top cup 30 in an downward direction. The lug 12 and the helicalsurface 34 acting as a wedge, providing a secure locking engagement.

FIG. 7a shows schematically an exploded view, while FIG. 7b shows anassembled view of an assembly of the bottom cup 20 and the top cup 30 ofthe present invention. At its upper end, the bottom cup 20 is configuredto form an annular channel 21 around the vertical 10 when assembled andfixed to the vertical 10. The annular channel 21 is formed by the roombetween the vertical 10 and surface facing inwards and towards thevertical 10 of the intermediate part 23 and the upper part 24 of thebottom cup 20 as described above in the description of FIG. 4. In FIG.7a is shown holes 11 in the vertical 10, there should be at least onehole 11, preferably two holes 11, and more preferably three holes 11.These holes 11 in the vertical 10 corresponds to the at least one hole25 of the bottom cup 20. When the bottom cup 20 is lowered or raised inorder for the at least one hole 25 in the bottom cup 20 to be at thelevel of the at least one hole 11 in the vertical 10, the bottom cup 20should be adjusted to align the axis of the at least one hole 25 in thebottom cup 20 with the axis of the at least one hole in the vertical 10.Thus, when at least two holes 25 in the bottom cup 20, those holesshould be distributed around it's circumferences with the samedistribution/angle as the at least two holes 11 in the vertical 10distributed around it's circumferences, the at least two holes 11 beingin a common plane approximately orthogonal to a longitudinal axis of thevertical 10. When the holes 11, 25 in the vertical 10 and the bottom cup20 respectively, are aligned, at least one fastening means 50 may bethreaded through the at least one hole 11, 25 of the vertical 10 and thebottom cup 20. The fastening means 50 may preferably be a cap-headsocket bolt, but may also be any other suitable threaded or unthreadedbolts, with or without heads, or even pins or wedges. The fasting means50 not fixing the bottom cup 20 to the vertical 10, rather serving assupport for the bottom cup 20 to rest on. The fixing of the at least onebolt 50 to the vertical 10 via the holes 25 in the bottom cup 20provides a compressive vertical load capacity of the lower cup via thefastening means as opposed to a tightening of the fastening meansbetween the bottom cup 20 and the vertical 10.

A bottom cup guard 110 position on the vertical below the bottom cup 20will be raised towards the bottom cup 20 until the free end of the lowerpart 111 of the bottom cup guard 110 aligns a free end of the lower part22 of the bottom cup 20, or until an surface of the flange 113 of thebottom cup guard 110 pointing in direction of the bottom cup 20 ismating against the free end of the lower part 22 of the bottom cup 20.The recesses drainage 114 of the bottom cup guard 110 being positionedto align with the drainage recesses 26 of the bottom cup 20 and therebythe draining purposes, preventing accumulation of water, ice, etc. inthe bottom cup 20 being fulfilled and protecting the bottom cup 20 andfastening means 50 from mechanical impacts and environmental elementscausing material degradation.

The top cup 30 is arranged above the bottom cup 20, the vertical 10being in an upraised vertical position. A lug 12, preferably a cap-headsocket bolt, but may also be any other suitable threaded or unthreadedbolts, with or without head, or even pins or wedges being arranged in ahole 13, threaded or unthreaded, in the vertical 10 preventing the topcup 30 for further movement upwards the vertical 10. When the bottom cup20 is installed and the top cup 30 is installed and at it's uppermostposition, preventing any further movement by means of the lug 12, thebottom cup 20 and top cup 30 is now ready to receive the bladed ends 41of the horizontals 40 (not shown) comprising in the falsework, scaffoldor the like. When the lower part of the bladed ends 41 of thehorizontals 40 (not shown) is received by the bottom cup 20, the top cup30 will thereafter be lowered towards the bottom cup 20 and rotated ontothe upper part of the blade end 41, by rotating the top cup 30comprising a helical surface 34 at its upper part against the lug 12,and thereby locking the horizontals 20 to the vertical 10 in a firmlocking, but releasable, engagement. In order to achieve the rotationalmovement of the top cup 30, the top cup 30 is fitted with top cup lugs33, spaced apart around the top cup 30, said top cup lugs 33 beingintended to be hit by a hammer or a sledge in order to force the top cup30 into the locking engagement.

FIG. 8a shows schematically an exploded view while FIG. 8b shows anassembled view of another embodiment of the bottom cup 20 made of steel,fixed to the vertical 10. At its upper end, the bottom cup 20 isconfigured to form an annular channel 21 around the vertical 10 whenassembled and fixed to the vertical 10 in aluminium. The annular channel21 is open at its upper end. The lower part 22 of the wall of the bottomcup 20 is inclined upwardly and outwardly, while the upper part 24 ofthe bottom cup 20 forms an upper part 24 of steel with a cylindricalform.

In order to fix the bottom cup 20 to the vertical 10, holes 11 forfastening means 50, are pre-machined in the vertical 10 around itsperiphery at the same level, into which fastening means 50, preferablydowel pins of steel are fixed, protruding radially out of the vertical10. The holes 11 in the verticals 10 are preferably pre-glued in orderto permanently fix the dowel pins 50 to the vertical 10. The dowel pins50 are evenly positioned around the entire circumference of the vertical10, positioned at the same level. At its lower end surface, the bottomcup 20 is provided with a corresponding number of machined recesses 28in bottom cup 20 to match the number of dowel pins 50 arranged aroundthe circumference of the vertical 10.

It should be noted that the bottom cup 20 may be machined as a single,integrated unit, thread on to the vertical 10 for appropriate fixing, orthe bottom cup 20 may be machined or formed as separate units andsubsequently assembled around the vertical. The latter way of assemblingwill be described below.

When lowering bottom cup 20 down onto the dowel pins 50, the orientationof the bottom cup 20 is adjusted so as to enable recesses 28 in bottomcup 20 on the lower surface of the bottom cup 20 to rest on thecorresponding dowel pins 50. If the vertical 10 is in an uprightposition, the bottom cup 20 is now resting on the dowel pins 50. Thebottom cup 20 is permanently connected to the dowel pins 50, and therebyto the vertical 10, preferably through spot welds between bottom cup 20and each dowel pin 50 and/or by applying glue to either dowel pins 50and/or the machined recesses 28 in bottom cup 20, thus gluing the bottomcup 20 to the dowel pins 50. Cutouts in lower end of bottom cup 20 aredrainage recesses 26 for draining purposes, preventing accumulation ofwater or ice in the bottom cup 20.

FIGS. 9a and 9b shows yet another embodiment of the bottom cup 20 of theview shown in FIG. 8, the only major difference being the height of thecylindrical part 15 of the bottom cup 20.

FIG. 10a shows schematically an exploded view of yet another embodimentof the present invention, while FIG. 10b shows an assembled view of thesame embodiment of a bottom cup 20 according to the present invention.Apart for the differences described below, the shape, configuration, andfunction of the bottom cup 20 disclosed correspond to the shape,configuration and functions disclosed above in relation to FIGS. 8 and9. According to this embodiment, upwards and inwards inclined wedges 70are used for locking the bottom cup 20 to the vertical 10. Holes 11 fordowel pins 50 are pre-machined in the vertical 10 around its periphery,in which dowel pins 50 are placed and fixed, protruding out from theouter surface of the vertical 10. The holes 11 in the vertical 10 arepreferably pre-glued, in order to permanently fix the dowel pins 50 tothe vertical 10. Glue is applied to the dowel pins 50 protruding out ofthe outer surface of the vertical 10 and the wedges 70 provided withcorresponding machined holes (not shown) to match the dowel pins 50,fixing the wedges 70 to the dowel pins 50 for a permanent fixture on thevertical 10. Correspondingly, the inner surface at the lower end of thebottom cup 20 is provided with complementary shaped recesses (notshown), configured to receive the wedges 70 and securing the correctposition of the bottom cup 20 on the vertical 10. Alternatively, orsupplementary, the mating surfaces of the wedges 7028 against thevertical 10 might be applied with glue. The bottom cup 20 thereafterslides down onto to the wedges 70 for a stiff and firm connection. Afterthe bottom cup 20 is placed onto the wedges 70, welding may be appliedbetween the bottom cup 20 and the wedges 70 in order to insure a fixedconnection.

FIG. 11a shows schematically an exploded view of a yet anotherembodiment of the bottom cup of the present invention, while FIG. 11bshows an assembled view of the same embodiment of the bottom cup 20according to the present invention. The bottom cup 20 comprises twoidentical, but mirrored, bottom cup halves 27, 27′. Dowel pins 60 areused to connect both the two bottom cup halves 27, 27′ together, anddowel pins 50 are at the same time connecting the two bottom cup halves27, 27′ together with the vertical 10. Pre-machined holes 29 in themating surfaces of the two bottom cup halves 27, 27′ and pre-machinedholes 11 in the mating surfaces of the two bottom cup halves 27, 27′ andthe vertical 10 is applied with glue before dowel pins 29, 50 areinserted protruding out of the vertical 10 and one half 27, 27′ of thebottom cup 20. Glue is filled in the remaining holes 11, 29. The bottomcup halves 27, 27′ are then joined together with each other and at thesame time with the vertical 10 for a permanent connection.

FIG. 8-10 shows cups in one piece, it is not restricted to bemanufactured in one piece; it might in all embodiments as shown in FIG.8-10 be manufactured in two pieces, joined together as described in FIG.11, with or without dowel pins in combination with gluing and/or weldingon joining surfaces, prior to being thread onto the vertical.

FIG. 12a shows schematically an exploded view of an embodiment of a lug12 for locking of the top cup 30 of the present invention, while FIG.12b shows the unit in an assembled state. Holes 13 are pre-machined inthe vertical 10 in which dowel pins 130 are placed protruding out of thevertical 10, the holes 13 are preferably pre-glued, in order topermanently fix the dowel pins 130 to the vertical 10. Glue is appliedto the dowel pins 130 and the face of lug 12, which shall be mated withthe vertical 10, before the lug 12, with pre-machined holes to match thedowel pins 130 in the vertical 10, is placed onto the dowel pins 130 fora permanent connection. Stoppers 100, which might be dowel pins, shownat the top of the vertical 10 are mechanical stoppers preventing looseobjects, such as the top cup 30, from falling off. The stoppers 100 areplaced in pre-machined holes in the vertical 10 filled with glue.

FIGS. 13a and 13b shows an exploded and assembled view of an embodimentof the end piece of a horizontal 40 with an end piece on each end of anelongated tube 80 of the horizontal 40. The long elongated tube 80 ofthe horizontal 40 being of a light material, such as aluminium, is to bepermanently connected to a connecting end piece comprising a blade end41 with an engaging tube 81, being of a stronger material such as steel.

The blade end 41 of the end piece fits the shape of the vertical 10, thebottom cup 20 and top cup 30. The end piece's engaging tube 81 has ashape to fit within the elongated tube 80 of the horizontal 40. Theouter surface of the engaging tube 81 of the connecting end piece beingapplied with glue before being treaded into the elongated tube 80 of thehorizontal 40 for a permanent connection. The engaging tube 81 ispreferably of a semi-cylindrical shape, but it might also take a conicalshape, chamfered shape or it might be threaded for a threaded connectionbetween engaging tube 81 and elongated tube 80.

FIG. 14 shows schematically an embodiment of an assembly of the couplingsystem of the present invention. Showing two horizontals 40, only endpart shown, to be connected to the vertical 10 through first loweringone side of the blade end 41 into the preinstalled, permanent bottom cup20 as described in FIGS. 7, 8, 9, 10 and 11. A top cup 30 is thereafterlowered and rotated onto the other side of the blade end 41, by rotatingthe top cup 30 comprising a helical upper part against the lug 12described in FIG. 12, and thereby locking the horizontals 40 to thevertical 10 in a firm but releasable connection. A support bracket 90may be assembled between the vertical 10 and horizontal 40 in order toaid the transfer of loads between the horizontal 40 and the vertical 10creating a stronger and more rigid connection between the horizontal 40and the vertical 10. The support bracket 90 is configured to be securelyfixed to the vertical 10 below the node section 120 and the horizontal40 at a distance from the node section 120, thereby forming a strut or abrace. The support bracket 90 will be described in further detailsbelow, referring to FIGS. 15a and 15 b.

FIGS. 15a and 15b shows an exploded and assembled view of an embodimentof the support bracket 90 mentioned in FIG. 14 comprising two identicalbut mirrored support bracket plates 91, 91′, being shaped steel oraluminium plates, able to grip around both the horizontal 40 and thevertical 10. The two support bracket plates 91, 91′ are looselyconnected with bolts 93, washers 95 and nuts 96 before assembled inorder to be fastened together and tightened around the horizontal 40 andthe vertical 10. The bolts 93, which may be carriage bolts used withcorresponding squared holes 94 in the support bracket plates 91, 91′ inorder to keep the bolts 933 in place while screwing the nuts 96 andtightening the parts together or loosening the parts, therebyeliminating the need of an extra holding-on tool while tightening ofloosening of the parts.

FIGS. 16a and 16b shows an exploded and assembled view of an embodimentof a bottom cup guard 110 used to protect the bottom cup 20, dowel pins50 and joining adhesive from mechanical impacts and environmentalelements causing material degradation. The bottom cup guard 110 can befor instance of a polymer material such as plastic or rubber. The bottomcup guard 110 can also serve as a marketing object, sporting forinstance company logo or product name, and/or being in bright colour.The bottom cup guard 110 is made up of a single unit and is applied anadhesive and attached to the bottom cup 20, thus providing permanentjoining of the bottom cup guard 110 and the bottom cup 20.

TABLE 1 10 Vertical 11 Holes in the vertical 12 Lug on vertical 13 Holefor lug on vertical 20 Bottom cup 21 Annual channel 22 Lower part of thewall of the bottom cup 23 Intermediate part of the wall of the bottomcup 24 Upper part of the wall of the bottom cup 25 Hole in bottom cup 26Drainage recess in bottom cup 27, 27′ Bottom cup halves 28 Machinedrecesses in bottom cup 29 Holes in the mating surfaces of the bottom cuphalves 30 Top cup 31 Top cup bulge 32 Vertical slot 33 Top cup lug 34Helical surface 40 Horizontal 41 Blade end 42 Fins 50 Fastening means 60Dowel pins for bottom cup halves 70 Wedges 80 Elongate tube 81 Innertube 90 Support bracket 91, 91  Support bracket plate 92, 92′ Clampingportion 93 Bolt 94 Squared hole 95 Washer 96 Nut 100  Stopper 110 Bottom cup guard 111  Lower part of the bottom cup guard 112  Upper partof the bottom cup guard 113  Flange of the bottom cup guard 114 Drainage recess in bottom cup guard 120  Node section 130  Dowel pinsfor lugs in vertical

1.-17. (canceled)
 18. A structural support system, such as, but notlimited to, a scaffolding or a falsework comprising verticals andhorizontals connected at node sections at the verticals, where each nodesection comprises a locking device for joining horizontals and/ordiagonals with bladed ends arranged at ends of the horizontals and ordiagonals and the vertical, where the locking device is a cup paircomprising a bottom cup held at a position on the verticals and a topcup moveably arranged on the verticals, where bladed ends of thehorizontals and/or diagonals are configured to be locked by bottom cuppart and top cup part, providing a rigid connection, characterized inthat parts of the structural support system intended to be held at aposition on the verticals are held by using at least one fastener meansand corresponding hole(s) in the parts and the verticals, the fastenermeans being rigidly fixed by screwing a headed bolt into the vertical,providing a compressive vertical load in vertical and/or horizontaldirection capacity of the lower cup via the bolt.
 19. The structuralsupport system according to claim 18, where the bottom cup comprises alower part, preferably of cylindrical form, an intermediate part,preferably inclined upwardly and outwardly, an upper part preferably ofcylindrical form.
 20. The structural support system according to claim19, where the bottom cup further comprises at least one hole forfastening means, preferably at the circumference of the lower part orthe bottom cup, the diameter of the hole being larger than the diameterof a part of the fastening means e.g. a bolt intended to be in contactwith the bottom cup.
 21. The structural support system according toclaim 20, wherein the hole(s) in the bottom cup is without threads. 22.The structural support system according to claim 18, where the bottomcup further comprises at least one drainage recess in the lower part ofthe bottom cup.
 23. The structural support system according to claim 18,where the system further comprises a bottom cup guard.
 24. Thestructural support system according to claim 23, where the bottom cupguard comprises a lower part, preferably of cylindrical form, and anupper part, preferably inclined upwardly and outwardly.
 25. Thestructural support system according to claim 24, where the bottom cupguard further comprises at least one drainage recess at least in thelower part of the bottom cup guard, preferably with the same height andwidth as the drainage recess of the bottom cup.
 26. The structuralsupport system according to claim 23, where the bottom cup guard furthercomprises a flange at the free end of the lower part of the bottom cupguard, pointing inwards the bottom cup guard having a diameter with atolerance in order to approximately face outer surface of the vertical.27. The structural support system according to claim 18, where thehorizontal comprises an elongated tube and a blade end with fins with anengaging tube, where the engaging tube and blade end are permanentlyconnected and further being permanently connected to the elongated tubeby applying glue to the connecting surfaces, where connecting surfacesis inner surface of the elongated tube and the outer surface of theengaging tube.
 28. The structural support system according to claim 27,where the elongated tube, preferably semi-cylindrically shaped is threadonto the engaging tube, preferably semi-cylindrically shaped but mightalso be conical shaped, chamfered shaped or it might even be threadedfor a threading connection between engaging tube and elongated tube. 29.The structural support system according to claim 18, where the installedbottom cup is covered with a bottom cup guard in order to protect thebottom cup, fastening means and bonding agent from mechanical impactsand environmental elements causing material degradation.
 30. Thestructural support system according to claim 29, where material used inthe bottom cup guard is of a polymer, such as plastic or rubber.
 31. Thestructural support system according to claim 18, where the horizontalsare supported with extra support bracket in order to transfer forcesbetween horizontals and the verticals, where the support bracketcomprises two identical but mirrored shaped steel or aluminium plates inorder to be able to grip around the horizontals and the verticals wherethe two plates are loosely connected with bolts, washers and nuts to bescrewed together and tighten around the horizontals and verticals.
 32. Amethod for mounting a node section on a vertical for use in a structuralsupport system, where each node section is a locking device forconnecting horizontals and/or diagonals with bladed ends arranged atends of the horizontals with verticals, where the locking device is acup comprising a bottom cup of metal material, preferably aluminium orsteel held at a predetermined position on the verticals and a top cup ofmetal material, preferably aluminium, moveably connected to theverticals, characterized in that forming the vertical from extrudedaluminium tubes, forming one or more radially orientated holes in theouter surface of the vertical surface, the surface of each holepreferably being threaded, positioning the holes in the bottom cup withthe holes in the vertical and introducing a fastener means of steel intoeach of the holes via the holes in the bottom cup.
 33. The methodaccording to claim 32, wherein a bottom cup guard threaded onto thevertical being raised towards the bottom cup until the free end of thelower part of the bottom cup guard aligns a free end of the lower partof the bottom cup, or until a surface of the flange of the bottom cupguard pointing in direction of the bottom cup is mating against the freeend of the lower part of the bottom cup.
 34. The method according toclaim 33, wherein the bottom cup guard is being adjusted in positionwhere drainage recesses in the bottom cup guard is being aligned withdrainage recesses in the bottom cup.